Convention of the States

A convention of the states could change the way Washington works

Changing who sits in the Oval Office simply isn’t enough to fix the problems created by the nation’s ever-growing federal government.

That’s why a group of activists will gather in Williamsburg, Va., next month to host a practice Convention of the States, to explore options state legislatures have for combating constitutional abuses out of Washington.

The Convention of the States project notes of the power to combat runaway government in Washington via Article V of the United States Constitution.

“What America needs right now is more than a change in personnel; we need a change in structure,” Michael Farris, co­founder of the project, said.

Article V provides:

The Congress, whenever two thirds of both houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose amendments to this Constitution, or, on the application of the legislatures of two thirds of the several states, shall call a convention for proposing amendments, which, in either case, shall be valid to all intents and purposes, as part of this Constitution, when ratified by the legislatures of three fourths of the several states, or by conventions in three fourths thereof, as the one or the other mode of ratification may be proposed by the Congress; provided that no amendment which may be made prior to the year one thousand eight hundred and eight shall in any manner affect the first and fourth clauses in the ninth section of the first article; and that no state, without its consent, shall be deprived of its equal suffrage in the Senate.

The movement’s proponents, among them former Sen. Tom Coburn, say that the current political climate is the perfect time for Americans to harness the power of Article V.

“This convention comes at a crucial time for our country. Americans rightly have lost confidence in the federal government and realize we must act to protect against additional illegitimate executive orders, attacks on the Bill of Rights, and continued irresponsible spending and waste in Washington,” Coburn said.

The idea of a convention is popular with conservative leaders in states throughout the U.S. and Coburn believes the dry run will serve to show that it is a very viable option to force change in Washington. According to him and other supporters of the movement, the group is very close to having the support of leaders in the required number of 34 states to hold a real convention.